Introduction to Journalism (FutureLearn)

Introduction to Journalism (FutureLearn)

Learn about the key principles and debates in journalism and enact the role of a journalist in the context of an escalating story. This free online course is aimed at those curious about journalism and looking to gain a better understanding of what the subject entails. Run by a team of internationally-renowned scholars and journalism practitioners at the University of Strathclyde, it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the professional world of reporters and editors.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see FutureLearn's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course contains six topics - what makes a good news story; writing news; writing features; opinion writing; politics and journalism; and investigative journalism - and explores these in relation to a case study running throughout the six weeks. Although the scenario is entirely fictitious, participants will engage in tasks and discussions that reflect real-life situations in journalism.
Each week contains a variety of learning activities that will introduce concepts, challenge assumptions, facilitate understanding and hone new skills. You’ll be encouraged to discuss your thoughts with peers and tutors, generate and edit small pieces of writing, and comment on others’ work.

Several esteemed journalists from around the world will feature each week, as they discuss key topics in relation to their own work. By enacting the role of a journalist in the context of an escalating story, the course adheres to Strathclyde’s ethos of “a place of useful learning.”

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Effectively delivering the news to your audience (Coursera) Coursera
Michigan State University

Effectively delivering the news to your audience (Coursera)

Being a successful journalist is more than hunting down information. How journalists process the information, then put it together, are key steps for news reports. You will learn the process, planning, requirements of how journalists develop their news reports. There are many ways to report news reports, and you will learn different forms of how to perform reporting and writing to serve different audiences.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Journalism, the future, and you! (Coursera) Coursera
Michigan State University

Journalism, the future, and you! (Coursera)

You will learn about the career paths that are available in journalism, and what opportunities the skill sets of a journalist can offer in other fields. You will explore areas such as being an international correspondent, self-publishing in journalism, as well as how to freelance in the field. You will be empowered to develop your own path in journalism, from being an active and informed consumer, to being a journalist.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Start Writing Fiction (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The Open University

Start Writing Fiction (FutureLearn)

Get started with your own fiction writing, focusing on the central skill of creating characters, with this hands-on course. Discover the rituals and approaches that successful fiction writers use. On this online course, established writers – including Louis de Bernières, Patricia Duncker, Alex Garland, Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tim Pears, Michèle Roberts and Monique Roffey – will talk about how they started writing.

Self Paced
5-12 Weeks
English for Academic Study (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
Coventry University

English for Academic Study (FutureLearn)

Prepare to study at university, explore the qualities of a successful student, and learn key vocabulary in an academic context. Increase your knowledge of English for academic study. If you are preparing to study at a university where the first language is English, either on campus or online, this course aims to help you understand what is expected, and develop skills to help you learn independently and build your confidence.

Self Paced
2 Weeks
English Composition I (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

English Composition I (Coursera)

You will gain a foundation for college-level writing valuable for nearly any field. Students will learn how to read carefully, write effective arguments, understand the writing process, engage with others' ideas, cite accurately, and craft powerful prose. Course Learning Objectives: summarize, analyze, question, and evaluate written and visual texts; argue and support a position; recognize audience and disciplinary expectations; identify and use the stages of the writing process; identify characteristics of effective prose; apply proper citation practices; discuss applying your writing knowledge to other writing occasions

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Preparing for PTE Academic (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
YouSTUDY International College

Preparing for PTE Academic (FutureLearn)

Develop confidence and prepare for success by understanding the structure and learning outcomes of the PTE Academic test. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is the world’s leading computer-based test of English for study abroad and immigration and is widely accepted by universities, colleges and governments around the world. All test takers should prepare for PTE Academic, even if English is your first language.

Self Paced
4 Weeks
How to Succeed at: Writing Applications (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
The University of Sheffield

How to Succeed at: Writing Applications (FutureLearn)

This free three week course will help you produce a perfect CV, application and online profile when applying for a job or course. Experts from The Careers Service here at The University of Sheffield share their top tips to help you write exceptional applications, CVs (or résumés), covering letters and personal statements.

Nov 11th 2024
3 Weeks
Writing and Editing: Structure and Organisation (FutureLearn) FutureLearn
University of Michigan

Writing and Editing: Structure and Organisation (FutureLearn)

Become a skilled architect of written communication, whether you’re putting together a major project or sending a text message. Develop your writing skills to include impactful text layout and flow. This is the second course in the Good with Words: Writing and Editing series from Michigan University, and directly follows the Word Choice and Word Order course. On this four-week course, you’ll learn the importance of text structure and organising your written words to deliver effective results.

Dec 20th 2021
4 Weeks
Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space (Coursera)

Throughout the world, writing serves to express, record and even create meaningful moments. In academic spaces, writing becomes the bridge between ourselves and the world of ideas. In this course, we provide practical insights into how to write an academic essay. We show you how to develop the academic skills needed to be a competent academic writer. You will have an opportunity to engage with texts written by academics, and to see how some of the ideas in these texts are used by students in constructing an academic essay.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys (Coursera)

This course will cover the basic elements of designing and evaluating questionnaires. We will review the process of responding to questions, challenges and options for asking questions about behavioral frequencies, practical techniques for evaluating questions, mode specific questionnaire characteristics, and review methods of standardized and conversational interviewing.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks